newfoundland 2008

P8300013

Flew to Deer Lake, Nfld, rented a car and headed to Gros Morne National Park. This lighthouse is at Woody Point at the south end of the park.

Flew to Deer Lake, Nfld, rented a car and headed to Gros Morne National Park. This lighthouse is at Woody Point at the south end of the park.

Looking into the mountain gap at Western Brook Pond, one of Gros Morne's most dramatic sights.

Looking into the mountain gap at Western Brook Pond, one of Gros Morne’s most dramatic sights.

Waterfront scene at Rocky Harbour, the main community in Gros Morne Park

Waterfront scene at Rocky Harbour, the main community in Gros Morne Park

At St Barbe, at the northwest end of Nfld, K decided not to take the ferry to Labrador, which was fortunate, as it later transpired that she had left her purse at a St Barbe restaurant. (It was recovered, happily.)

At St Barbe, at the northwest end of Nfld, K decided not to take the ferry to Labrador, which was fortunate, as it later transpired that she had left her purse at a St Barbe restaurant. (It was recovered, happily.)

This beautiful spot is at Cape Onion, on the very northern tip of Nfld. As you can see, we were enjoying some pretty nice weather.

This beautiful spot is at Cape Onion, on the very northern tip of Nfld. As you can see, we were enjoying some pretty nice weather.

And now, the reason we're here: the restored Viking site at L'Anse aux Meadows. Parks Canada has done a great job recreating this piece of history.

And now, the reason we’re here: the restored Viking site at L’Anse aux Meadows. Parks Canada has done a great job recreating this piece of history.

The discovery of this Viking site rewrote about a thousand years of history. Here's what the Viking buildings probably looked like.

The discovery of this Viking site rewrote about a thousand years of history. Here’s what the Viking buildings probably looked like.

Our B&B at St John's, on Queen's Road.

Our B&B at St John’s, on Queen’s Road.

We adored St John's, especially the architecture and the way the narrow little streets all rushed down the hillsides to the harbour.

We adored St John’s, especially the architecture and the way the narrow little streets all rushed down the hillsides to the harbour.

This is Brigus, a wonderfully preserved village on Conception Bay, just west of St John's.

This is Brigus, a wonderfully preserved village on Conception Bay, just west of St John’s.

On the Skerwink Trail near Trinity, one of the highlights of our trip. We saw a fox.

On the Skerwink Trail near Trinity, one of the highlights of our trip. We saw a fox.

Here's a view from Trinity itself. This famous fishing centre is one of Nfld's great historic sites, amazingly preserved and quite touristic (though not in September). We went to one of the many excellent theatrical performances put on here.

Here’s a view from Trinity itself. This famous fishing centre is one of Nfld’s great historic sites, amazingly preserved and quite touristic (though not in September). We went to one of the many excellent theatrical performances put on here.

Overlooking Placentia on the Avalon Peninsula from Castle Hill.

Overlooking Placentia on the Avalon Peninsula from Castle Hill.

K, three feet from the edge of a cliff, supervising the gannets at Cape St Mary's.

K, three feet from the edge of a cliff, supervising the gannets at Cape St Mary’s.

A final word of wisdom. We were hoping for close encounters with meese but only managed to see a single one, way off in the distance.

A final word of wisdom. We were hoping for close encounters with meese but only managed to see a single one, way off in the distance.